Amey in French link-up - Rail link-up with Desquenne et Giral, which had sales of œ140 million last year - Renewal on contracts in 1999

The first of Amey Railways' RT1A contracts to expire will come up for renewal in 1999. Tarmac, Jarvis and Amec, the other railway maintenance contractors, face the same hurdle. In all, nine RT1A contracts will come up for renewal on the same day.

"It would be against the law of averages if all of them were won by the incumbent contractor," said Eddie King.

"There should be some moving round - but not to a distant region: that would not be an ideal situation."